Knitted Ribbed Teapot Cosy

Instructions

Tap a section when you finish it.

1. 1Cast onWith the main colour, cast on 54 stitches (54 sts). Leave a 40 cm tail for the side seam. Row 1 is the right side.
2. 2Ribbed bodyAlternate these two rows for rows 1-32: Odd rows (RS): *k2, p2* 13 times, k2. Even rows (WS): *p2, k2* 13 times, p2. The panel should measure about 13 cm (54 sts). For a taller teapot, every 2 rows add about 1 cm.
3. 3Top decreasesRow 33: *k2, p2tog* 13 times, k2 (41 sts). Row 34: *p2, k1* 13 times, p2 (41 sts). Row 35: *k2tog, p1* 13 times, k2tog (27 sts). Row 36: *p1, k1* 13 times, p1 (27 sts). Row 37: k2tog 13 times, k1 (14 sts). Cut the yarn leaving 40 cm and slip the stitches onto a piece of scrap yarn.
4. 4Second panelKnit a second panel the same way and put its stitches on scrap yarn too. Lay the panels on top of each other and compare; they should be the same height.
5. 5Side seams and openingsPlace the panels together with right sides facing. Hold the cosy against your teapot and mark the spout and handle positions with pins. Spout side: sew 2 cm from the bottom, leave about 7 cm open, then sew the rest up to the top. Handle side: sew 2 cm from the bottom, leave about 9-10 cm open, then sew the rest up to the top. For the neatest result in rib, use mattress stitch, matching the edge stitches side by side.
6. 6Gathering the topTurn the cosy right side out. Thread the 40 cm tail of one panel onto the yarn needle and pass it through all 28 stitches of both panels in order, removing the scrap yarn. Pull firmly to gather the top, push the needle through the hole to the inside and knot it several times on the wrong side.
7. 7PompomWrap the contrast yarn around the two card rings until they are thick and full. Cut around the outer edge of the rings, tie a piece of yarn tightly between the rings and remove the card. Trim the pompom into a neat ball and sew it to the top of the cosy with the ends of the tie.
8. 8FinishingWeave all ends into the side seams. Soak the cosy in lukewarm water, squeeze out the water in a towel and dry it over a bowl or the teapot itself. The wool blend holds heat well; slip the cosy over the teapot while the tea brews and settle the spout and handle in their openings.